Antiskid chain



June 1, 1937. c w. MCGINNIS 2,082,253

ANTISKID CHAIN Filed April 21, 1936 INVENTO BY A gw xddwu ATTORNEYS Patented June 1,1937 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,082,253 ANTISKID CHAIN Charles w. McGinnis, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application April 21, 1936, Serial No. 75,559

2 Claims. (01. 152-14) My invention relates to anti-skid chains for p t d b dy of the C d V1 is a automobiles, and more particularly to cross-links similar view, illustrating to exaggerated degree for use in such chain the relative movement that occurs between the As is generally known, an anti-skid chain conelements of the link in service.

5 sists of a plurality of links of bands adapted Referring to the drawing, my cross-link is 5 to be secured, by means of two side chains, made of a plurality of flexible strands I, 2, and across the tread of a tire. The cross-links or -3, braided or plai ed 1 0 311 Open-Work bandbands are spaced-apart circumferentially of the The band is relatively flat; it is relatively wide tire, and serve to increase traction on slippery with respect to its depth, as maybe seen by roadways. Cross-links composed of metal chains comparing Figs. I and 11; it is provided with 10 have been used for years to such end, but they links 4 at i s opposite ends for attachment have been found objectionable for two reasons. to the usual side members of a tire-chain (not; First, they are noisy; and, second, they wear shown), in such manner that the band extends rapidly and require frequent replacement. across and lies substantially flat upon the tread 15 Cross-bands of rubber, reenforced with metal or of the tire to which it is applied. The links 4 l6 fabric, have been used to overcome these objecare merely illustrative of the fastening means tions, and, while it appears that such rubber which may be applied. cross-bands are noiseless and out-wear those As shown in Fig. III, the strands I, 2, and 3 made of metal chain, it also appears that, if are individually formed before braiding, in the the rubber bands are smooth faced, they are of form of an elongate (and in this case a smooth- 20 low anti-skid value. That is to say, they operate faced and cylindrical) body 5 of rubber, reon wet or icy pavements only slightly better than enforced with a metal core 6. The core 6 may the bare tread of the tire. In further refinement, comprise a single wire of relatively soft, flexible the rubber cross-bands were made perforate, steel, or other suitable metal of relatively great or were recessed within their effective faces. It tensile strength and flexibility, or it may com- 5 was found that, by virtue of the perforations prise a composite wire of twisted strands. And or recesses in the rubber, the desired traction the body 5 of rubber is applied, and, advanon wet pavements was obtained. In winter drivtageously, isvulcanized, to the core by processes ing, however, the perforations or recesses beknown to the rubber art. The formed strand 5,

80 came filled and frozen over with snow and ice, 6 maybe cut into desired lengths and then in such manner that the cross-bands lost their plaited into the form of the band ;I, 2, 3, or value. r three continuous strands 5, 6 may be plaited into The object of my invention is to provide a a continuous band, which is cut into lengths perforate rubber cross-band which in service is to provide the bands I, 2,3.

adapted automatically to keep its perforations The fastening devices, 4 are U-shaped in plan 35 free from accumulations of snow, ice, and dirt. as indicated in Fig. I, and, as indicated in Fig; The invention embraces the discovery that a IV, the terminals of the cores 6 of the several plurality of individually reenforced rubber strands l, 2, and 3 are bared and coiled around ,strands, plaited in the form of a relatively flat the base 4a of the U. Then a keeper in the 40 band, provides ,an anti-skid cross-link of the form of an enveloping body I of relatively hard 40 above-mentioned character, and additionally rubber is vulcanized over the assembly and to provides a band afiording improved traction and the ends of the rubber jackets 5. I Thus, secure possessing greater durability. integration of the devices 4 with the open-work In the accompany g drawing an embodime t band I, 2, 3 is provided.

of the invention is illustrated in exempl ry w y. In service upon a tire the cross-link l,2,3 is 45 Fig. I is a fragmentary view in plan of a crosssubjected to compression when it is carried into link for use in the usual anti-skid chain, or position upon the surface of the roadway and in the so-called emergency Chains W dely used momentarily sustains the weight' borne by the a e Present t e, ig- II is a fragmentary tire; then it is carried upward from the road-- view in side elevation of the cross-link. Fig. III way nd is s bje ted t t io produced by 50 is a perspective V ew. showing o a er scale centrifugal force existing at theperiphery of the -material of whichthe cross-link is conthe rotating tire. Subject to these alternately structed. Fig. IV .is a fragmentary, sectional applied'forces, the loops in the plaited strands view, taken on the plane IV-IV of Fig. -I. move relatively to one another, and break out Fig. V is a fragmentary view in plan of the such accumulations of dirt, snow, or ice that ,5

tend to lodgeor freeze in the relatively large openings 8 between the loops. A comparison of Figs. V and VI will give on exaggerated scale the movement which takes place in the structure.

The cores 6 of the. strands are flexible and resilient and the bodies of rubber covering such cores are of greater flexibility and resiliency. As may be observed in the drawing, the loops of the individual strands are formed on relatively great curvature, and so far as may be extend or lie in the common plane of the band. Such physical characteristics are important to the ends in view, and distinguish my structure from cross-links of twisted wire or braided fibre.

The strength and wear-resisting properties of my structure have been found superior in tests I have made on the road. The-relatively flat structure of the looped and braided strands affords a maximum eifective area of engagement with the roadway for a given weight of materialused in construction 01 the device. The structure is of light weight, whereby in service impact with the roadway is reduced, this factor tending to reduce wear. Thus, by a specific refinement instructure I achieve results of substantial value. It will be understood that many variations an modifications may be made in the means for securing my cross-link to the usual side chains without departing from the invention defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cross-link for anti-skid chains comprising a plurality of individual rubber strands reenforced with metal of substantial tensile strength and flexibility, said individual strands being looped and plaited into a relatively flat band of open-work structure in which the loops are relatively movable in service for breaking out accumulations of snow and ice, as described, and fastening means secured to the opposite ends of such band.

2. A cross-dink for anti-skid chains comprising a plurality of individual rubber strands reenforced with members of relatively great tensile strength and substantial flexibility, said individual strands being looped and plaited into a relatively flat band of open-work structure in which the individual loops are relatively movable in service for breaking out accumulations of snow and ice, as described, and fastening means secured at the opposite ends of said link, said fastening means includinga body of rubber vulcanized to the rubber terminals of said strands.

CHARLES W. McGINNIS. 

